I have just recently completed building myself a couple of light boxes and I am very pleased with the results. If anyone is interested in me building one for them, PM me and I can discuss price etc, one thing is for sure, they are going to be at least a third of the price of imported ones, and IMHO work just as well. The two attached images will give you some sort of idea of my construction. My method of construction allowes the light box to fit over the front of the telescope/dew shield, much like a cover so one does not need to balance it on the scope.
I use a 12v lighter type connector for the power, and each LED is rated at between 6000mcd and 12000mcd depending on the size of the box required.
If interested please feel free to ask any questions.
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After having tinkered with my own light box, which I'm very happy with! I was completely blown away by the workmanship of an example of Peters tinkering at Snake Valley. Design, construction and operation were all 100%.
And no, he isn't paying me anything to say this, I am just impressed when non-professionals continually produce great products.
Throw those t-shirts back in the draw where they belong!
Well I used my light box that Peter made last night on my 8" RC and it worked perfectly. It just fit past the guide scope too. Superbly made and evenly illuminated.
One of the guys bokglob, AKA Darrell ordered a box for an ED80, I have had it completed for nearly a week and he is not answering emails. If I dont hear from him by the end of the weekend, I will put it up for sale. $115.00 including postage to Aust Capital City or suburbs. It is tested and works a treat.
I think in future if anyone wants a box I will be asking some sort of deposit, I dont like getting left holding the bag so to speak.
Just an update, Darrell has now contacted me and is still taking the box.
if you are interested we can cooperate on making these. I can cut all parts for box shell for you with my laser according to your requirements and you will need to assemble them put leds and wiring and it's ready to go.
I have been thinking about making them myself but I am not good at wiring and all electronic stuff.
Might not be a bad sort of idea if we were in the same city, cant see it working with the distance involved. No two boxes are identical I basically tailor the box to suit what someone wants for their scope. Not sure how a laser would go cutting this foam board, it is a mongrel at times, mind you I have developed a bit of a knack now after having built nearly 20 boxes. I suppose if one was to start making these commercially that would definitely be the way to go, but I am really only doing this as a hobby thing and to help out people who for various reasons cannot make their own boxes.
I definitely appreciate your thoughts though.
shouldn't be a problem to cut through foam with a laser and in case it doesn't work I have a CNC router that can cut through anything.
However you are right about distance. If you are not in Victoria that will add extra expense. You don't have location in your profile so I thought that you could be in Victoria.
Just wanted to openly thank Peter for a superb job on my new multi scope light box! TRied it out for the first time the other night and "wow" its perfect luminance and consistent.
Hi all. I can personally vouch for all the positive feedback in this thread. My 2 boxes arrived this morning, couldn't be happier. Will serve me well.
Thanks again Peter